Abstract

We demonstrate the efficient coupling of single photons emitted by single quantum dots(QDs) in a photonic crystal cavity (PhCC) to a ridge waveguide (RWG). Using a single-step lithographic process with an optimized tapering, up to 70% coupling efficiency between the photonic crystal waveguide and the RWG was achieved. The emission enhancement of single QDs inside an in-line PhCC coupled via the RWG to a single-mode fiber was observed. Single-photon funneling rates around 3.5 MHz from a single QD into the RWG were obtained. This result is a step toward the realization of a fully functional quantum photonicintegrated circuit.

Received 15 February 2013Accepted 21 March 2013Published online 03 April 2013

Acknowledgments:

We thank S. Assali for technical assistance. Financial support by the TU/e High Potential program, EU-FP7 QUANTIP project (Project No. 244026) and the Dutch Technology Foundation STW (Project No. 10380) is acknowledged. The nanofabrication was carried out in the NanoLab@TU/e cleanroom facility.